Published Apr 16, 2024
Colorado five-star CB Cormani McClain to enter transfer portal
Tony Tsoukalas  •  Rivals Transfer Portal
Staff Writer

A new five-star talent is set to emerge in the transfer portal. According to reports, Colorado cornerback Cormani McClain is set to enter the portal where he will be one of the most hotly pursued players on the market.

McClain started four games over nine appearances during his freshman season last year. The 6-foot-2, 165-pound defensive back finished his first campaign with 13 stops, including one for a loss, to go with a pair of pass breakups. According to Pro Football Focus, he surrendered 18 receptions on 25 targets, allowing opposing quarterbacks to compile a 114.2 NFL passer rating on balls thrown his way.

McClain signed with Colorado as the top cornerback and No. 18 overall player in last year’s class. He will have three years of eligibility at his next school. The Lakeland, Florida native originally committed to Miami before flipping to play under Deion Sanders in Colorado.

McClain's relationship with Sanders seemed rocky at times, as the head coach bluntly criticized the cornerback when asked about his lack of playing time last September.

“Study and prepare,” Sanders responded to a question about what he needed to see from McClain. “Be on time for meetings, show up to meetings. Understand the scheme. I check film time from each player so I can see who’s preparing, so if I don’t see that, you would be a fool to put somebody out there who’s not prepared. That goes for all our players.”

Along with Colorado and Miami, McClain was heavily recruited by Alabama and Florida. The five-star talent did not seem to enjoy playing in colder weather, so southern schools will likely take priority in his future recruitment.